STRESS MANAGEMENT FACT SHEET

Stress is not just an inconvenience, it can become a serious health concern. Chronic high stress is a associated with increased risk of Cardiovascular disease, Hypertension, chronic fatigue and infections.

Did you know that: • Stress is the leading cause of visits to General Practitioners each year - up to 70% of cases. • Controllable lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, sleep and time management have a significant effect on stress levels. • Alcohol is a common but highly ineffective stress management tool. Whilst the consumption of Alcohol may make you feel more relaxed, it can cause sleep disturbances, preventing the good quality sleep needed for effective rest and relaxation. • Your physical environment can help or hinder stress management. Is your workstation set up correctly for your body size? Can you maintain a good posture? Is the lighting appropriate? What about noise levels? Reducing physical stress can help to reduce overall stress. • Participating in “passive” recreation such as watching television is not as effective at reducing stress as “active” recreation such as talking a walk on the beach or enjoying a game of squash. • Many factors that contribute to stress are outside of your control, but ensuring that you are doing everything you can to maintain a healthy body Tips for Managing Stress and mind, will maximise your ability to cope.

The Symptoms of Stress • Manage your time. Learn to say “no” more often • Physical: Fatigue, headaches, muscle • Eat a balanced, nutritious diet tension or stiffness, heart palpita- • Get at least 30mins of exercise each tions, chest pain, trembling, shaking. day • Allow adequate time for sleep each • Mental: Reduced ability to concen- night trate, increased anger, irritability, • Ensure you have a distinct ‘split’ be- frustration, fear and/or depression tween home time and work time. • Spend some time in active recrea- • Behaviour: Increased fidgeting, tion, such as walking, reading, taking smoking, drinking or drug use, in- the kids to the park, playing beach creased violent behaviour, yelling or cricket etc. to help unwind. swearing. • Work on a “positive psychology” - you choose how you respond to ex- ternal stressors. • Avoid alcohol, drugs and stimulants such as Caffeine.

Sources: Better Health Channel www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au, SANE Australia www.sane.org.au